2024 Investing In Our Schools Bond

Great news for La Plata County! On Nov. 5, 2024, Durango School District Ballot Issue 4A passed by a large margin. This bond will bring much-needed improvements to our schools, enhancing facilities, safety, and learning environments for all students. Thank you to our community for your support and commitment to quality education. We’re excited to move forward together!

Bond mission statement

Supporting the 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond means supporting the dreams of every student, with world-class learning spaces, forward-thinking solutions, and a commitment to the educators who make it all possible.

Bond priorities

The district is focusing on addressing aging facilities and the community's identified needs for learning outcomes. While the Long-Range Planning Committee identified nearly $250 million in needs, the district is using a phased approach to begin addressing these needs. The $150 million bond measure will increase taxes around $14 per month for a home valued at $500,000. Bond projects include:

Deferred maintenance: Replacing aging infrastructure like boilers, roofs, plumbing, and electrical systems
New construction: A brand-new elementary school in Three Springs to replace Florida Mesa Elementary School
Sustainability: Water-saving plumbing
Furniture and equipment: Updating outdated classroom furniture and instructional tools
Workforce housing: Exploring affordable housing options to help retain teachers and staff
Eliminate leased facilities: Finding options for land/property ownership vs. rental spaces for custodial, facilities and technology departments
School planning: Developing a long-term school replacement and modernization strategy
Renovate Escalante Middle School: Renovations to include learning space upgrades to create a more conducive learning environment such as more natural lighting, updates to flooring/paint and more
Conversion of the Florida Mesa Campus: Determine use for and plan conversion of Florida Mesa campus once the new Three Springs Elementary school is opened

Draft timeline for new school at Three Springs

Design Start – Spring 2025
Design Finish – Spring 2026
Construction Start – Summer 2026
Construction Finish – Winter 2027/28
Furniture, Commissioning, Training Finish – Spring 2028
Move-In – Summer 2028

Infographic on the bond not being used for salaries

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2024 Investing In Our Schools Bond

February 2026 bond update: Three Springs Elementary construction on track and workforce housing lottery results announced

Here’s what’s new in 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond program planning since the December 2025 update.

Every drop counts: Green Team dives into water-wise fun

Giggles, guesses, shiny plumbing parts, and a whole lot of splashing — that’s how Riverview Elementary School's Green Team learned that saving water can be both fun and powerful.

December 2025 bond update: Design, housing, and facility milestones mark year-end progress

Here’s what’s new in bond program planning since the October 2025 update.

Community gets first look at future Three Springs Elementary School

What does the future of learning look like in Durango? On Nov. 6, families, neighbors, staff, and community leaders gathered at CommonSpirit/Mercy Medical Center to find out. Nearly 100 people attended our First Look: Future Three Springs Elementary School event to get a sneak peek at what will become Durango’s newest school community.

October 2025 bond update: Projects advance as new school, housing, and facility plans take shape

Here's what's new in bond program planning since our August 2025 update.

First Look: See designs of future Three Springs elementary school Nov. 6

Durango School District (DSD, formerly known as 9-R) is inviting the public to get an early look at the designs for the new elementary school planned for the Three Springs neighborhood.

District finalizes purchase of 35 apartments to support workforce housing

We are thrilled to share exciting news — the district has officially closed on 35 apartment units at the Lightner Creek Village Apartments in Durango as of Oct. 8.

District announces plan to purchase Lightner Creek Apartments for staff housing

Durango School District (DSD, formerly known as 9-R) announced Sept. 23, 2025, during its regular Board of Education meeting that it plans to purchase the Lightner Creek Apartment complex in Durango to provide affordable housing for district staff. The district anticipates closing on the property by October 30.

District purchases warehouse to eliminate final leased facility

Why are we excited about our new warehouse? Because it’s a smart investment in Durango School District’s future. It's also part of our promise to La Plata County voters, who passed the 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond.

August 2025 bond update: District outlines 2025–28 projects, names GC for Three Springs school

Here's what's new in bond program planning since our summer 2025 update.

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